Tuesday, November 24, 1998

Cowboys confident despite injuries

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Memo to the high-flying Minnesota Vikings: bring it on.

The Cowboys (8-3) acknowledge that the Vikings (10-1), led by rejuvenated quarterback Randall Cunningham and rookie sensation wideout Randy Moss, should be considered a big challenge.

And that challenge gets even tougher with the six key injuries the Cowboys suffered in Sunday's 30-22 victory against the Seahawks. Most prominent of those are to receiver Ernie Mills (perforated small intestine) and guard Everett McIver (torn ACL in left knee) who are both lost for the regular season.

Cornerback Deion Sanders is questionable for Thursday's game with his sprained left big toe, and running back Emmitt Smith (sprained ankle), tackle Erik Williams (sprained knee) and running back Chris Warren (strained groin) are hobbling as well.

However, the Cowboys maintain that it would be wrong to think that the Thanksgiving Day showdown at Texas Stadium will be a one-sided affair.

Displaying the growing confidence of a team on a four-game winning streak, the Cowboys are conceding nothing. And even bristled at suggestions that the NFC Central-leading Vikings will serve as a measuring stick for the Cowboys.

"I think the game might say how good Minnesota is too," quarterback Troy Aikman said. "We are not step children over here, trying to show that we belong in this league. It's a game where a lot of things will be evaluated on their side of the ball as well."

Smith, who said his ankle has improved from Sunday and even participated in the Cowboys light workout, agreed with Aikman. He said the Vikings defense will be tested by the improving Cowboys offense, which has scored at least 30 points six times this season and is ranked fourth in the NFL in total offense.

"People are more concerned about how we are going to deal with them and how we are going to defense them," said Smith, who is listed as questionable for the game. "Nobody's asking them how they are going to stop us. They got a good ball club. But I think we got a good ball club. This game will have a lot of importance for Minnesota as well."

Cowboys coach Chan Gailey liked the confidence his players are showing - though he hoped it doesn't roll into cockiness because "we are not that good yet."

What they have been good about all season is overcoming injuries. Gailey would like to see the Cowboys continue that trend against the Vikings.

"Every time we've had somebody go down, somebody else has stepped up," Gailey said. "I always believe, don't gripe about what you don't have, get excited about what you do have."

Rookie guard Flozell Adams will again replace McIver, who has already missed five games with a sprained right knee. The Cowboys will rely on Jeff Ogden and Patrick Jeffers to fill in for Mills, who had flourished in the Cowboys multiple receiver sets.

It seems that Cowboys would be hard-pressed to get excited about a defensive secondary, possibly featuring reserve Charlie Williams in place Sanders going against the Vikings vaunted passing attack. Williams has been burned for three touchdown passes the past two games.

Nickel safety George Teague admitted that it will be a challenge to contain the Vikings without Sanders. But he said nobody is backing down.

"Nobody is afraid," Teague said. "Everybody is going to stand up and play."

The injuries that could be most crucial to the Cowboys chances are Smith and Warren, considering the importance of the running game to the Cowboys offense. Gailey said Smith is closer to being ready than Warren, but refused to predict if either would be available.

Smith, third in the NFC in rushing with 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns, will need to be ready if the Cowboys are to employ what he said is the best weapon against the Vikings attack, ranked third in the NFL in total offense and second in scoring.

"The best way to police their offense is to keep their defense on the field," Smith said. "If we can maintain the ball, manage the clock and put points on the board, hopefully, our defense can stop them. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense."

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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